The Imperial Court of Nebraska, a 501c3 organization, has served the LGBTS community for over 28 years. Since Its inception on July 15, 1980, ICON has raised approximately $1,000,000.00 for charities.
ICON proudly continues dynamic efforts to raise money through various fundraising events each year to benefit organizations such as the Nebraska AIDS Project, American Cancer Society, River City Gender Alliance, Rainbow Outreach Resource Center, Pediatric AIDS, P-FLAG and Proud Horizons.
Prince Royale Cupid gets into some "risky Business" with a pajama party birthday bash to benefit Michele's Fund.
Chandler and Phoenix burn it up for the scholarship fund for GLBT youth.
MAdeline and Annette help us escape the winter blues with a show to benefit the Rainbow Outreach Center
Sunday Funday is here again and February's bartenders are Tharin Crase & Jose Jones!!!!
The Imperial Court of Nebraska (ICON) is a unique group within an international network of organizations which have been founded with a common goal.
These "Courts" are individual social and community service organizations bound together in shared structure, policies and goals. When the Court System originated in San Francisco, California, in 1965, it was intended mainly for "camp" fun. From that beginning we derived our camp titles '"Emperor & Empress, Prince & Princess", and so forth--as well as our major annual gala function--our Coronation.
The Court System is truly international. With Courts throughout the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, each court is in essence, a chapter of the International Organization.
As representatives of our Courts, our primary goals are:
*to further relationships with businesses and organizations within our local communities
*to hold functions and fundraisers to benefit the communities
*to help those in the community who are in need of our assistance.
*Each year our organization contributes tens of thousands of dollars to local community
services as well as to National and International causes such as the Pink Ribbon Campaign.
In addition to some of the other positive aspects of the Court System, perhaps the best is that our organization is open to everyone. Our membership is made up of every aspect of society including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual. A person's gender, lifestyle or mode of dress has no bearing on being a member of the court "family."
The Imperial Court of Nebraska has served the LGBTS community for over 30 years. Since its inception on July 15th, 1980, ICON has raised approximately $1,000,000 dollars for charities within our realm and across the country.
The first few years of ICON fundraising efforts benefited the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Jerry's Kids needed money and it was ICON to the rescue.
HIV/AIDS did not hit Omaha, Nebraska, until around Reign 3. It was during this Reign that Emperor Ken Dillard and Empress Toadie Lee Marvelous started raising money to combat HIV/AIDS. Not long after, what we now know as the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) was born.
ICON proudly continues dynamic efforts to raise money. Being one the oldest organizations in the state, we hold various fundraising events each year to help benefit organizations such as the Nebraska AIDS Project, American Cancer Society, River City Gender Alliance, Rainbow Outreach GLBT Resource Center, Pediatric AIDS Research, P-FLAG, NGLTF, HRC, Family Pride Coalition, NAMES Project, and many, many more.
Included amongst our many annual events are:
* Closet Ball where new talent is founded and placed on stage for the first time.
* Labor Day and Memorial Day Picnics, two of the communities favorite events. Come rain or shine,
everyone in the community gathers to celebrate.
* Food 4 Thought in which our Monarchs host a major fundraiser to purchase food vouchers for families
affected with HIV/AIDS.
* Toyz 4 Totz where our Monarchs and the Royal Family raise money and purchase toys for children
affected by HIV/AIDS.
Many of these events were started during particular reigns throughout our history. Each member of our College of Monarchs along with members of their Royal Family added to the history of our organization.
ICON organized the first Pride Parade and began fundraising for research into the emerging epidemic that would become known as AIDS.
ICON once again had three monarchs. The elected monarchs included Emperor Joe Reed, Empress Forte de Sade, and Athena Deb. The Empress position was a challenging one this reign, as Forte quickly yielded the position to Gabrielle, who then yielded the title to Felice Whitney.
And in the fall, Athena Deb resigned and the Lady Royale, Carla Petersen, was elevated by the Board to Athena II. Coronation 10 A New Wave at the Warehouse in Carter Lake was small but had its share of excitement when the DJs table collapsed mid-coronation and everyone went scrambling to rescue the equipment.
Gerald Brown and Erica de Vane marked the first time an African American was elected.
Once again the Imperial Court of Nebraska found itself with an additional emperor.
Tami was again elected as Athena and was joined in the monarchy by Emperor Steve Koeller and Empress Phoenix Fallentino. During this reign ICON gained great visibility through the many, many miles of travel logged by Phoenix. Coronation was held at the Ramada Inn on 72nd St.---the Holiday Inn had rejected our contract because they were a family business, and we didnt fit their definition of family. No one who attended this coronation could forget the memorable moments from the ships deck!
ICON had its first elected female Emperor in Connie Henke. She was joined by Empress Roxy. They stepped down in the swirling colors of A Chinese New Year Celebration.
David Hansen, who had run unsuccessfully four times for Emperor was elected overwhelmingly by the people. Joining him as Empress was May ONaise, who served her second terms as an ICON Empress. One of the most memorable charitable events of the year was the wheelchair drive. Reign 14 found and refurbished over 20 wheelchairs for clients of the Nebraska AIDS Project. Coronation 15 a ho-down of sorts was held back at the Airport Ramada Inn and featured a special guest, Nicole the Great.
ICON elected its second female Emperor Annie Welty and our first Lincoln Empress Brooke. Brooke resigned before completing the reign and Annie ended the year with Josephine as her Empress. Annie and the ICON Board traveled to Lincoln to prepare Thanksgiving Dinner for the Lincoln clients of the Nebraska AIDS Project. This year also marked the first fundraising efforts for Breast Cancer.
Emperor Royal Bush and Empress Phoenix Fallentino represented ICON across the country as they quickly became ICONs most-traveled monarchs. The Board did away with the Athena title and retitled the existing Athenas during this reign, giving them recognition on the court circuit. The ICON Foundation was established, as well as the Iris Phoenix Scholarship Fund. Coronation brought us to The Paxton. No one will forget moving the boat up to second floor and our unexpected Coronation guests! ICON led the entire GLBT community in fundraising for the Martin Luther King Memorial that was to be built at 24th & Lake. Qualifications for members led to a paid membership system that ICON used for the next few years.
ICON elected its first lesbian Empress, Sharon Van Butsel. Jeff McKenzie reigned with her as Emperor. This reign brought us a new project in doing a monthly luncheon at Nebraska AIDS Project, and it brought us the Not So Gay States Pageant. An early October blizzard highlighted this reign. Coronation was at the OPPD Atriumour first no-smoking facility and a leaky roof right over the sound equipment. This Coronation featured our first Bus Tour!
Emperor Dan Mathew and Empress Montana began the year with great enthusiasm. Dan, however, stepped down shortly after the new year and Montana completed the reign alone. She brought ICON a new fundraising charity: The Nebraska Humane Society. Even today one can see the bricks ICON bought as they financed their newest facility. Coronation brought us to yet another location: Sokol Hall, where it continued to be held through Reign 23. We held our first brunch at Progressive Park. Coronation weekend fell over the 4th of July! The Widow Norton, aka Jose, founder of the International Court System came to Omaha for the first time.
With Laura Lee Lyons as Empress and Michael Lyons as Emperor, the court reveled in nostalgia as Laura Lee brought many old time friends of the court back to support the reign.
Emperor Tom Aeschilman and Empress Stella Dallas were elected, but both stepped down within months of assuming their titles. The Board replaced them with Princess Royale And More and Prince Royale Matt Finken. Matt would later ask to have his titles and affiliations with ICON removed.
Lita de la Guardia begin and ended the reign as our sole monarch. Sharon Van Butsel was named Queen Mother to the Court and served with King Father Don Randolph, who had had that title since ICONs first years. Our Empress was quite pregnant for her stepdown (some Iowans claimed he was an heir to the ICI throne, but Nebraskans knew better), but all were touched by her familys support as Litas mother sang the National Anthem and her son Michel escorted her in her final walk.
With the appointment of King Father Don Randolph as Regent Emperor, the ICON Board adopted a new annual charity event in the Night of 1000 Stars. Don and Empress Monroe made up the monarchy during this reign. Once again, ICON moved the Coronation Ball. This time, we found a home at The Doubletree Hotel.
As Emperor Dan and Empress Lana took the reigns of ICON's 25th Anniversary year, ICON itself began the process of reorganizing. The Imperial Court of Nebraska, Inc was disolved and replaced by The Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation making ICON a fully operating 501(c)3 organization in the state of Nebraska. Many other changes were to follow.
Michele became the first straight empress of ICON.
During the reign of Emperor Andrew the 1st and Empress Michele, The Widow Norton, Empress I Jose and founder of the International Court System stepped aside and handed over control to Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas.
Nicole the Great introduced many changes to the International Court System including the appointment of new Heirs and the formation of a Parliment which will give the individual Courts a say in the way the Internation Court System is ran.
During all these changes, Empress Michele of Nebraska was named as an Heir and Nicole the Great visited Omaha during Coronation 27.
Once again, the Monarchs set new standards in fundraising for ICON. Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas, attended the Coronation 28 festivities giving out 3 titles to members of ICON. Jennifer Jett became the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement awards presented by Nicole during Coronation. Over 19 courts from across the country attended during the weekend.
Emperor Gary and Empress Misty took the lead in fundraising by being the first Reign to top the $10,000.00 mark for Toyz 4 Totz. Coronation 29 was once again attended by Nicole the Great and Heirs Apparent Michael Gaffney, Dyna Myte and the newest member Michael Lyons.
Sharon van Butsel, Carla Peterson and Don Randolph recieved Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedication to the Imperial Court System. Jan Ritterbush, Sally Presby and Lana Caine were inducted into the Order of the Double Eagle by Nicole over the weekend and MCC-Omaha was recognized for their service to the community.
The Imperial Court of Nebraska was honored during Reign XXIX as the recipient of the 2010 Jose Honors Court of Distinction. Coronation XXX brought to Omaha the International Court Council Conference and friends from across the country.
Continuing in the traditions set forth by the organization, Chippy and Wendy ushered in the next decade for ICON. This marked the first year the NAP luncheon was completely sustained by the donations of the Royal Family. Coronation XXXI was greeted by a warm hotel for the weekend, and Nicole the Great's fifth consecutive visit to the empire.
Reign XXXI
Emperor Todd Pacas
& Empress Chandler Chubbs
History in the making....
Reign Prince Royale Princess Royale Lady Royale
I Norma Bunny Lynn
II Lafayette
III Wayne Stone Muffy Rosenburg
IV David Hansen Lisa Durant
V Ron Minobe Misty Leigh
VI Terry Sweeney Lisa Durant
VII Terry Sweeney Katrina Kane
VIII Scott Rezek Anne Marlow
IX Dean Michon Heidi Hess
X Dean Michon Sabrina Golightly
XI Scott Rezek Phoenix Fallentino Kim Stuhr
XII Donna Hoden Melissa Morgan
XIII Michael Gaffney Monica West
XIV Hugh Farrell Brooke Owens
XV Gary Frazier Red Essence
XVI Jim Gau Sharon Van Butsel
XVII Dan Mathew Valerie Vortex
XVIII Michael Lyons Monica West
XIX Roger Duitsman Stella Dallas
XX Steve Von Seggern Michele Korman
XXI Annette Moeller
XXII Monroe
XXIII Bruce Bufkin Ro-Bust
XXIV Andrew Janzen Jewels
XXV Thomas Jennifer Jett
XXVI Larry Fritcher Marsha Mellow
XXVII Jeremy Johnson Teagan Thomas
XXVIII Mark Ledbetter Macy Riley
XXIX Shawn Shea Chandler
XXX Rob Hickman Corinna Edwards
XXXI Cupid Phoebe Duvet
Empress I & II Dolly
Emperor III Ken Dillard
Empress III Toadie Le-Marvelous
Empress V & XIX Laura Lee Lyons
Mother to All Athenas JoJo Morrison
Emperor XVII Jeff McKenzie
Prince Royale III Wayne Stone
Princess Royale III Bunny Lynne
Prince Royale 8 & 11 Scott Rezek
Prince Royale IX & X Dean Michon
Prince Royale XX Steve Von Seggern
The following documents are copies of the Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures. (SOPs). The SOPs are updated on a regular basis and those noted on this webite may not be the most recent edition. These are intended for public knowledge and remain the written property of the Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation.
To download a copy of these articles, click the icon below.
By-Laws 1-15-08(1).pdf
ICON501c3.pdf
ICON SOPs Revised 1-16-12.pdf
The Imperial Court of Nebraska meets the third Monday of Every month at the Rainbow Outreach Resource Center at 17th and Leavenworth in Omaha, NE. Meetings start at 6:00PM and are open to the public. The mailing address for the Imperial Court of Nebraska is:
The Imperial Court of Nebrasla
PO Box 3772
Omaha, NE 68103
Feel free to e-mail mambers of the Board of governors:
President, Andrew Janzen ICONXXVI_yahoo.com
Vice-President, Teagan Thomas JaeLaska_gmail.com
Secretary, Rob Hickman Robgypz10_aol.com
Treasurer, Janice Baumgartner jkbaumgartner1_cox.net
Member, Annette Moeller Anneinomaha_yahoo.com
Member, Shawn Shea neb_hobbit_yahoo.com
Member, Corinna Edwards prcorinnaedwards_ymail.com
Empress, Chandler Chubbs talllibra20_yahoo.com
Emperor, Todd Pacas todd.pacas_yahoo.com
Member/Webmaster, Chippy emperor30chippy_gmail.com
Event Coordinator, Teagan Thomas at above e-mail address.
Reign XXXI Grants
On Behalf of Emperor XXXI, Todd, Empress XXXI, Chandler Chubbs and the entire family of the imperial Court of Nebraska, we thank the entire community for your generosity. Reign XXXI has granted out the following scholarships and funds for charitable organizations:
Proud Horizons: $2,440.36
Nebraska Aids Project:$5,391.38
P-FLAG: $1,610.60
Michele's Fund: $885.60
Trevor Project: $1,014.00
Rainbow Outreach Center: $86.40
MCC- Omaha: $1,682.00
Susan G. Komen: $2,138.80
TOTAL: $15,249.14
The Iris Phoenix Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 by Empress 16 Phoenix Fallentino to provide scholarships for individuals who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or as children of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered persons. The first scholarships were given out during Coronation 17 in 1997.
Each year there will be at least one scholarship awarded in each category (gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered or child of a GLBT person) in which there are applicants who meet established criteria. The total number and the dollar amount of the scholarships will be determined by the Scholarship Committee
based on the number of successful applicants and the funds available for distribution.
Equal consideration will be given to any program of post-high school education, including but not limited to college, technical, and trade schools. Monies from the Scholarship Fund may be used for tuition, housing, books,
and/or supplies (copy of contract or lease may be required).
Recipients must enroll in a program of higher education within 6 months of
the announcement of the award. All monies awarded must be used within
one calendar year of the award or the money will revert to the Scholarship
Fund and, at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee, may be awarded
to other applicants or may be held for future use.
Coronation XXXII
"Pop Rock Meets Country Hoe Down"
Saturday, July 14 2012
Emperor Todd and Empress Chandler invite one and all to join us as we celebrate the end of another successful reign in beautiful Omaha, Nebraska!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
In-Town Show
8:30PM
Flixx Show Bar
